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Monday, July 06, 2009

Made it

I rolled as close to the Mexican border as the gate would let me at 5:24 p.m. Monday, July 6, to finish the 2,700-ish miles of the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route in 24 days, 7 hours and 24 minutes. My parents drove down from Salt Lake City to meet me at the border, so even though the guard station was closed, I didn't have to finish alone. What an incredible experience. Feels strange to not have to pedal any more. Feels even stranger to be wearing clothes that I didn't just wash in the shower. I'm happy, healthy and still feeling strong. Despite a few mechanicals, minor injury and weather setbacks, I still kept my goal of finishing within 25 days, and still feel like I could go out again tomorrow if I needed to. Glad I don't have to, though. I took 731 pictures. More to come soon, I'm sure.

In your modesty, you neglected to mention that you also set a new Female Course Record. Great ride...can't wait to see some of those pictures. It's been a lot of fun tracking you and the other racers, especially seeing how far into each night you still kept riding.

So excited to wake up each morning to see where you were. Loved being able to hear your voice on the phone calls and anxiously awaited your finale yesterday at work (I kept logging in each hour). Became a big fan of yours. Eat great food, sleep in a big ol comfy bed and know that you just lived the dream of many of us

Great Job! I have been following your Blog for about 6 months and it is great to see you conquer the Divide. I had to check your status first thing every morning and several times throughout the day. Congrats!!!

Congratulations! What an amazing ride - It has to be a great feeling to be on this side of the ride and to be able to look back at everything you have accomplished.

I've been in awe of you making the race a personal challenge and I hope that it's clear to everyone, that you covered more distance than the Tour de France, in about the same number of days, without the team bus, the media attention and the doping. (I hope not the doping ;) )

What an amazing trip to be sure. I'd say the toughest part wasn't the bike riding but was watching your friend Pete hauled out by ambulance. Glad to hear he'll be okay. And so you will, after a long long long rest.

Yeah Jill - been checking in at least twice a day to see how you were doing - we are so excited for you - of course, why did we doubt that you would accomplish this - you are so strong and determined that you can conquer almost anything you want to. You are truly an inspiration to a lot of people. Get some much deserved rest. Tell your parents that we said hi and let them know that we are so very proud of you. Keep in touch with us and let us be one of the first to read your new book.

Fantastic, and the fact that you finished relatively fresh is a great sign - it means you were able to get in what Kent Peterson calls "road mode". Just finishing on the first try is an incredible achievement!

With all the great route info now in your head you should be able to shave a few days off next year! ;-)

Congratulations, Jill! You're a remarkable person...not so much because you finished, but because you started. That's what really separates you from the masses. Thanks for sharing your story and your life with us.

Outstanding. Thanks for giving me something to look forward to every morning at the office: your Spot page and your phone-ins. My little girls will enjoy this just like they enjoyed your Iditarod. You truly inspire, Jill.

Congrats Jill! It was great getting to meet you and drive you to the start of your awesome adventure. Great job!! (I assume your bag of clothes and stuff made it to your house a few weeks ago, but let me know if it didn't)

Congratulations! You did an amazing job. I really enjoyed trackign your progress on SPOT and your wordpress messages. Thanks for sharing your experience with us. You are truly strong in mentally and physically.

Wow, congratulations on an epic ride! How does it feel to be a legend now? Add me to your long list of fans. I am curious if you might write about your gear, or if you already documented that somewhere.Thanks.Dave in WA

Congrats Jill! It was so much fun to watch your progress. Sorry we didn't catch you in the Gila to provide some encouragement and calories on that lonely stretch. Can't wait to read about all your adventures on your blog.

Yikes. From frostbitten to record setting. If Jill needs more of a challenge, maybe next year take the Pugsley. Only checked the last 2 mp3 updates as Jill was finishing. I love the matter of fact, another day in the park sound to them. Probably the best personality type for this sort of thing. But I really have no clue.Btw - and just a thought - our Up In Alaska superchick pedals from Canada to Mexico, and Sarah Palin decides to drop out of whatever it is she was into. Coincidence?Keep enjoying life, Jill.jkTallahassee Trails

Congratulations! 26 miles in a day is still my outside limit, so it is inspiring to see someone doing so much in so little time. Hope you can bask in the glow of accomplishment as you consider your next challenge.

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